Dodgy pitch KO's skipper Terry

Losing his inspirational captain is a massive blow for Three Lions chief Steve McClaren ahead of a Euro 2008 qualifier his side can’t afford to lose.

Terry’s knee locked again at the end of England’s training session on the plastic pitch at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium. Terry caught his studs in the turf with just minutes of the final training session left.

The plastic pitch is being used for the first time by Russia, and it has been sanctioned by UEFA for this game. But the Russians are being forced to rip it up when they host the Champions League Final next May.

Terry spoke at a press conference yesterday afternoon about how pleased he was his knee had settled down and he was looking forward to leading his side into his biggest England game as captain.

Sol Campbell will now replace him, like he did on Saturday against Estonia, in a defence which is already missing the injured Ashley Cole.

McClaren said last night: "John Terry’s knee locked in training and he was not able to complete the session.

"It means he is almost certainly out of the game against Russia.’’

England were concerned about any Russian dirty tricks over the surface, and have urged Uefa to watch for over-watering.

But now McClaren will be fuming over the pitch which has ruled out his defensive talisman.

The original problem flared up last Thursday when a bit of floating bone got caught under Terry’s kneecap.

His knee swelled up, but after physio and massages it had settled down enough for him to train for the last two days.

He admitted he needed an operation to sort it out, but that will no doubt be brought forward and means he is likely to miss Chelsea’s game at the weekend against Middlesbrough.

And it throws McClaren’s plans into disarray. He has already decided to play England rookie Joleon Lescott at left back in place of Cole, despite the fact he only has 45 minutes of international football under his belt.